Refrigeration oil replacement device of a totally hermetic compressor in a refrigeration recycling system

ABSTRACT

A refrigeration oil replacement device of a totally hermetic compressor in a refrigeration recycling system is disclosed. The totally hermetic compressor forms a hermetic chamber with a high-pressure end and a low-pressure end, and includes an input pipeline connected from the low-pressure end to the hermetic chamber, and an output pipeline connected from the high-pressure end to the hermetic chamber. The refrigeration oil replacement device has a gas charging pipeline connected to the hermetic chamber for filling in gas, and a drainage pipeline connected to the hermetic chamber. When gas is pumped in from the gas charging pipeline, the deteriorated refrigeration oil inside the hermetic chamber will be discharged from the drainage pipeline under the pressure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a maintenance device for a totally hermetic compressor, and more particularly to a refrigeration oil replacement device of a totally hermetic compressor in a refrigeration recycling system.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.

FIG. 1 shows an existing totally hermetic compressor 9, normally applied in refrigerating or freezing equipment, or for cooling semiconductor production lines, or in electronic component testing equipment. It comprises a housing 91, a low-pressure-end refrigerant return pipeline 92 configured inside the housing 91, a motor 93 provided inside the housing 91 for supplying power to compress the refrigerant, and a high-pressure-end refrigerant output pipeline 94. Before operating the totally hermetic compressor 9, refrigeration oil shall be applied to provide lubrication for the motor 93 and other moving parts, so that the totally hermetic compressor 9 can work smoothly.

As shown in FIG. 2, the totally hermetic compressor 9 works in synergy with a condenser 81, a refrigerant controller 82, and an evaporator 83. The totally hermetic compressor 9 is to compress the refrigerant and produce high-temperature and high-pressure gas, the condenser 81 is to cool and convert the high-temperature and high-pressure gas to low-temperature and high-pressure gas, and deliver it further to the refrigerant controller 82; the refrigerant controller 82 provides a function to lower the pressure, and deliver the gas to the evaporator 83 for evaporation and heat absorption, and finally convert it to low-temperature and low-pressure gas, which is returned to the hermetic compressor 9 to complete a refrigeration cycle.

However, after a long period of usage, the refrigeration oil used for operation of the totally hermetic compressor 9 will deteriorate. In particular, when used for electronic component performance testing, because both high-temperature testing and low-temperature testing are needed, under the hot and cold impact, the refrigeration oil will deteriorate and become filthy more quickly, leading to lower lubrication effect and capillary clogging, which will directly cause shortened lifecycle of the totally hermetic compressor 9. Therefore, the refrigeration oil must be replaced regularly to ensure smooth operation of the totally hermetic compressor 9 and longer operational lifecycle.

The existing method to replace deteriorated refrigeration oil for the totally hermetic compressor 9 normally requires complicated disassembly to dismantle both the low-pressure-end refrigerant output pipeline 92 and the high-pressure-end refrigerant output pipeline 94, and the whole hermetic compressor 9 shall be tumbled to pour out the deteriorated refrigeration oil. Moreover, the dismantled pipelines shall be thoroughly cleaned. After the disassembly and cleaning, the low-pressure-end refrigerant output pipeline 92 and high-pressure-end refrigerant output pipeline 94 shall be assembled again by welding. After assembly, the totally hermetic compressor 9 shall be filled with refrigerant and refrigeration oil again to recover normal operation of the hermetic compressor 9. The above-mentioned disassembly and cleaning operations are time-consuming, complicated, and will take a lot of labor and material costs. Hence, the maintenance of totally hermetic compressors 9 apparently needs a method to replace the refrigeration oil more easily.

Thus, to overcome said problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement in the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.

Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration oil replacement device of a totally hermetic compressor in a refrigeration recycling system which can replace the refrigeration oil without having to disassemble the piping.

The present invention is a refrigeration oil replacement device of a totally hermetic compressor in a refrigeration recycling system. The totally hermetic compressor forms a hermetic chamber with a low-pressure end a high-pressure end, and comprises an input pipeline connected from the low-pressure end to the hermetic chamber, and an output pipeline connected from the high-pressure end to the hermetic chamber. The output pipeline comprises a compression working section extending into the hermetic chamber. When the totally hermetic compressor works, the refrigerant mixed with the refrigeration oil is delivered from the output pipeline to the condenser, passing through the refrigerant controller and enters the evaporator, and then flows back from the input pipeline to the hermetic chamber.

The refrigeration oil replacement device comprises a gas charging pipeline connected to the hermetic chamber to fill gas into the hermetic chamber, and a drainage pipeline connected to the hermetic chamber. The refrigeration oil in the totally hermetic compressor is to permeate into various moving parts for lubrication. When the totally hermetic compressor is turned off to stop operation, and pressurized gas is input from the gas charging pipeline, the deteriorated refrigeration oil inside the hermetic chamber will flow into the drainage pipeline under the pressure, and subsequently be discharged from the drainage pipeline. When the deteriorated refrigeration oil inside the hermetic chamber is smoothly and thoroughly discharged, new refrigeration oil and refrigerant can be filled in again from the gas charging pipeline to complete the refrigeration oil replacement operation, so that the totally hermetic compressor can continue smooth operation.

Efficacy of the present invention: by additionally providing a drainage pipeline, pressurized gas can be input from the gas charging pipeline, and the gas pressure can push the deteriorated refrigeration oil inside the hermetic chamber to flow into the drainage pipeline and be discharged. Thus, new refrigeration oil can be filled in again from the gas charging pipeline to complete the refrigeration oil replacement operation, without having to disassemble any pipeline.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the description of embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view to illustrate an existing totally hermetic compressor.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view to illustrate the operation method of a totally hermetic compressor.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view to illustrate a first embodiment in accordance with the present invention of a refrigeration oil replacement device of a totally hermetic compressor in a refrigeration recycling system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view auxiliary to FIG. 3 to illustrate the implementation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view to illustrate a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention of a refrigeration oil replacement device of a totally hermetic compressor in a refrigeration recycling system.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view to illustrate a third embodiment in accordance with the present invention of a refrigeration oil replacement device of a totally hermetic compressor in a refrigeration recycling system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before reading detailed description of the present invention, it is to be noted that, in the following description, like components are designated by like reference numerals.

FIG. 3 discloses a first embodiment in accordance with the present invention of a refrigeration oil replacement device of a totally hermetic compressor in a refrigeration recycling system 1. The totally hermetic compressor 2 forms a hermetic chamber 200 with a low-pressure end 201 and a high-pressure end 202, and comprises an input pipeline 21 connected from the low-pressure end 201 to the hermetic chamber 200, an output pipeline 22 connected from the high-pressure end 202 to the hermetic chamber 200, and a motor 23 to supply power for compression. The output pipeline 22 comprises a compression working section 221 extending into the hermetic chamber 200. The compression working section 221 has an air outlet 220 connected to one compression cylinder 231 of the motor 23. The first embodiment comprises a gas charging pipeline 11 connected to the hermetic chamber 200 to fill gas into the hermetic chamber 200, an input valve 12 configured inside the input pipeline 21, an output valve 13 configured inside the output pipeline 22, a drainage pipeline 14 connected to the hermetic chamber 200, and an on-off valve 15 configured inside the drainage pipeline 14. The input pipeline 21 is to input refrigerant and refrigeration oil, while the output pipeline 22 is to output the refrigerant compressed by the totally hermetic compressor 2; the input valve 12 and the output valve 13 are respectively used to open or close the input pipeline 21 and the output pipeline 22.

To replace the deteriorated refrigeration oil inside the totally hermetic compressor 2, shut off the input valve 12 and the output valve 13, and pump in gas from the gas charging pipeline 11. With the gas pressurizing the hermetic chamber 200, the deteriorated refrigeration oil will flow into the drainage pipeline 14. Next, open the on-off valve 15, the refrigeration oil flowing from the hermetic chamber 200 into the drainage pipeline 14 will be discharged from the drainage pipeline 14, and drip into an oil tank 4 for collective disposal. In particular, the drainage pipeline 14 comprises a transparent window 141 for observing the flow of the refrigeration oil inside the drainage pipeline 14. When the deteriorated refrigeration oil inside the drainage pipeline 14 is smoothly and thoroughly discharged, new refrigeration oil and refrigerant can be filled in again from the gas charging pipeline 11 to complete the refrigeration oil replacement operation, so that the totally hermetic compressor 2 can continue to operate smoothly.

FIG. 4 illustrates the operation of the first embodiment in combination with a condenser 31, a refrigerant controller 32, and an evaporator 33. The totally hermetic compressor 2 is to compress the refrigerant, and output it in a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous state, while the condenser 31 is to cool the high-temperature and high-pressure gas and convert it to low-temperature and high-pressure gas, and deliver it further to the refrigerant controller 32; the refrigerant controller 32 provides a function to lower the pressure, and deliver the gas to the evaporator 33 for evaporation and heat absorption, and finally convert it to low-temperature and low-pressure gas, which is returned to the totally hermetic compressor 2 to complete a refrigeration cycle.

FIG. 5 discloses a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention of a refrigeration oil replacement device of a totally hermetic compressor in a refrigeration recycling system 1. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that: the second embodiment also comprises a pressure pump 16 connected to the gas charging pipeline 11. As the refrigeration oil inside the hermetic chamber 200 permeates into various moving parts for lubrication, a thorough discharge is not possible through a simple drainage. Hence, the pressure pump 16 is used to generate a pressure source to push the refrigeration oil inside the hermetic chamber 200 with a relatively larger force, so that the remaining deteriorated refrigeration oil will thoroughly flow into the drainage pipeline 14 under the pressure. In particular, the preferred method to generate a pressure source is to use the pressure pump 16 to fill nitrogen gas into the gas charging pipeline 11, so as to avoid the situation that the residual gas may affect the subsequent operation of the totally hermetic compressor 2.

FIG. 6 discloses a third embodiment in accordance with the present invention of a refrigeration oil replacement device of a totally hermetic compressor in a refrigeration recycling system 1. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that: the third embodiment also comprises an extraction mechanism 17 connected to the drainage pipeline 14 to extract the deteriorated refrigeration oil. In particular, the extraction mechanism 17 is preferably, but not limited to, a vacuum pump or a cylinder. As the extraction mechanism 17 is connected at the relative upstream of the on-off valve 15, when it is required to remove the deteriorated refrigeration oil inside the hermetic chamber 200, apart from adding gas pressure from the gas charging pipeline 11, absorption and extraction from the drainage pipeline 14 can be applied after shutting off the on-off valve 15, so as to draw deteriorated refrigeration oil inside the hermetic chamber 200 or even residual deteriorated refrigeration oil remaining in the whole system piping. The third embodiment combines both upstream pushing and downstream drawing, providing a solution to remove the deteriorated refrigeration oil inside the hermetic chamber 200 more thoroughly.

When using the first embodiment to the third embodiment to replace refrigeration oil of a hermetic compressor 2, there is no need to dismantle the input pipeline 21 and the output pipeline 22, and also no need to tumble totally hermetic compressor 2. Simply using pressure difference and pipeline drainage, the deteriorated refrigeration oil inside the hermetic chamber 200 can be thoroughly removed, and new refrigeration oil can be filled in again from the gas charging pipeline 11 to complete the refrigeration oil replacement operation. In this way, the refrigeration oil replacement operation for a totally hermetic compressor 2 becomes much easier and convenient.

To summarize, when using the first embodiment to the third embodiment to replace refrigeration oil of a totally hermetic compressor 2, there is no need to dismantle the input pipeline 21 and the output pipeline 22. By pumping in gas from the gas charging pipeline 11 to pressurize the hermetic chamber 200, and through pipeline drainage, the deteriorated refrigeration oil inside the hermetic chamber 200 can be thoroughly discharged, and new refrigeration oil can be filled in from the gas charging pipeline 11. The refrigeration oil replacement operation for a totally hermetic compressor 2 can be completed more easily. Therefore, the object of the present invention is truly attained.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

We claim:
 1. A refrigeration oil replacement device of a totally hermetic comprising: a refrigeration recycling system; the totally hermetic compressor forms a hermetic chamber with a low-pressure end and a high-pressure end, and comprises an input pipeline connected from the low-pressure end to the hermetic chamber, and an output pipeline connected from the high-pressure end to the hermetic chamber; the output pipeline comprises a compression working section extending into the hermetic chamber; the refrigeration oil replacement device comprises: a gas charging pipeline, connected to the hermetic chamber, for filling gas into the hermetic chamber; and a drainage pipeline, connected to the hermetic chamber; when gas is pumped in from the gas charging pipeline, the refrigeration oil inside the hermetic chamber will flow into the drainage pipeline under the pressure.
 2. The structure defined in claim 1, which also comprises an input valve configured in the input pipeline, and an output valve configured in the output pipeline.
 3. The structure defined in claim 1, which also comprises an on-off valve configured in the drainage pipeline, to close or open the drainage pipeline; when it is open, the refrigeration oil can be discharged from the drainage pipeline.
 4. The structure defined in claim 1, which also comprises a pressure pump connected to the gas charging pipeline; when shutting off the input valve and the output valve, the pressure valve will generate a pressure source to push the refrigeration oil inside the hermetic chamber to flow into the drainage pipeline.
 5. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein the drainage pipeline comprises a transparent window.
 6. The structure defined in claim 1, which also comprises a working valve configured inside the gas charging pipeline.
 7. The structure defined in claim 4, wherein the pressure pump generates the pressure source by inputting nitrogen gas into the gas charging pipeline.
 8. The structure defined in claim 3, which also comprises an extraction mechanism connected to the drainage pipeline to extract the refrigeration oil.
 9. The structure defined in claim 8, wherein the extraction mechanism is connected on the relative upstream of the on-off valve. 